A global compromise on the NECA implementation dates reached

IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 66) has agreed on a compromise on the implementation dates of existing as well as future Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Areas (NECAs) under the MARPOL Convention.

So far only two NECAs, in the North America and United States Caribbean Sea, have been designated, but such status has been discussed at least within the Baltic and the North Seas. Shipping in the Baltic is the source of over 13,000 tn of airborne nitrogen deposited to the sea annually, close to the total contribution of land based airborne emissions in countries like Russia or Sweden. According to HELCOM, if the Baltic Sea was established as a NOx ECA, it is expected to reduce Nitrogen pollution of the Baltic Sea by around 7,000 tn annually. When in force, the Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Areas require that ships meet the strictest (Tier III) NOx emission standards defined in the Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention when operating in these areas.

So far, intensive negotiations between the Baltic Sea countries and International Maritime Organization, with the active involvement of the HELCOM member states, have been taking place. Denmark and other Scandinavian countries have been seeking to establish a new NECA in the Baltic Sea, being so far opposed by Russia, which in the fall of last year managed to block the joint application during a meeting in Copenhagen.

Last week’s negotiations on NOx emission control in London were based on several submissions from IMO member states and concluded with a global NOx compromise on the implementation dates. In the previous session, MEPC agreed in principle to postpone the international NOx emissions limits from 2016 to 2021, however, the recent compromise amendments include maintaining the implementation date of 2016 for the already designated North American and US Caribbean NOx ECAs. Moreover, the adoption of new agreements equals in postponing the effective date of superyachts in operation in these areas to 2021 as well as leaving the implementation dates of future NOx ECA areas to be decided on a case by case basis.

Moreover MEPC 66 decisions last Friday were as anticipated and important, in the sense that a more clear framework is now at place for the HELCOM states. The next probable occasion to officially continue negotiations on the issue will be the next HELCOM Heads of Delegation meeting on 16-17 September 2014.

Bogdan Ołdakowski, BPO Secretary General, commented: BPO has several times explained and called the member states that before the NOx regulations coming into force in the Baltic Sea region, comprehensive studies on the consequences for the transport industry clearly demonstrate, that justifiable technical and financial solutions are found for the enforcement of the regulation. Furthermore; BPO finds it important, that the new NOx regulation is not limited to the present SECA areas (Baltic, North Sea) but are introduced to Europe in all within the same timeframe.